3 New Classes for Spring!

Three new Spring-semester-only classes will begin after the Christmas Break! They are:

Written and Illustrated By

Instructor: Betsy Dill 
Day: Monday, starting January 30
Time: 10:20 - 11:20 
Class meets 16 times

Write children's picture books and greeting cards and then illustrate them. Draw newspaper illustrations and political cartoons and write the accompanying articles and punch lines. The goal is to polish writing, drawing, and painting skills and then explore how to sell both (separately or together) if desired! Children's picture books, board books, cards, magazine articles, cartoon strips, informational articles, How-to articles with step-by-step pictures, more. Self-editing and developing a personal style of illustration stressed.

SAT/PSAT Math

Instructor: Laurie Capen
Day: Wednesday, starting January 25
Time: 1:50 - 2:50

This will be a review of mostly algebra and geometry in preparation for the SATs. I believe strongly that while the verbal section of the SAT represents a lifetime of reading and can be difficult to prepare for, the math section represents a limited set of material that can be systematically reviewed and mastered. What is tough about the math SAT is many of the questions are asked somewhat different than in your standard high school text. That is where this class comes in. We will review material needed for the questions and practice, practice, practice the types of questions commonly seen on the SAT. Students must have completed algebra and geometry for this course to be of benefit. Completion or current enrollment in at least algebra 2 is recommended. Student will be provided a study plan and there will be regular homework to include practice tests.

Computer Information Systems

Instructor: Laurie Capen
Day: Wednesday, starting January 25
Time: 4:10-5:10

Prerequisite: Must have a laptop or netbook that can be brought to class and student must have Internet access at home.

Computer Information Systems is a high school level, one semester course focused on the integration of technology across the high school curriculum and in particular in conducting research. Utilizing Microsoft Office, Home and Student Edition, students will learn to master Word, Excel, Power Point and One Note. Additional topics include Google applications and common internet research engines. Colleges today expect students to be comfortable with integrating technology into classwork. Students need to be able to make presentations using these software programs that are appealing, interesting as well as scholarly. The goal is to gain confidence in using common software programs for integration across the curriculum and particularly research projects. Class will consist of predominantly lab work learning how to work with existing practice files as well as how to conduct their own research. Students will generate several small research projects including science, math, history and English. Projects prepared in this class may be used for other courses at CHESS. The textbook will be Microsoft’s Step by Step curriculum. Mrs. Capen is working on a list of sources for inexpensive netbooks and is negotiating a plan for free or inexpensive Office software. Highly motivated 8th graders may take this class with instructor permission.

Registration is open -- sign up today!